HELM, Lurton D.

HELM, BLAIR, REYNOLDS, HENRY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/5/2014 at 14:37:08

HISTORY of CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IOWA
WHEELER, J.H. Vol. II. Pp. 789-87. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910

BIOGRAPHY ~ LURTON D. HELM

One of the estimable and progressive young agriculturists of Cerro Gordo county is L. D. Helm, who is of that sound and sterling stock upon which the material prosperity of this section of the state is securely founded. He is a native Iowan, his birth having occurred September 2, 1878, at Plymouth, this county, and his parents being Matthew and Esther (Blair) Helm. The first of the Helm family in America was the grandfather of him whose name initiates this sketch, Jonathan, who settled in Darlington, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and was soon numbered among the respected people of that section. His son, Matthew, Mr. Helm's father, was born March 7, 1840, and died April 22, 1903. He was a farmer and a man who enjoyed the esteem of his contemporaries, one of the distinctions being a valiant Civil war record. At the time of the inception of the conflict between the states he joined the support of the Union cause, enlisting at Darlington, Wisconsin, August 14, 1862, and being honorably discharged June 16, 1865, at Camp Madison, Wisconsin. Some years after the termination of the war, in 1872 to be exact, Matthew Helm came to Cerro Gordo county, and being pleased with the aspect of things purchased a farm here and remained actively and successfully engaged in this quarter for the remainder of his life. He and his wife resided on the farm until the spring of 1899, when they removed to Plymouth, in which place the father died in 1903. The marriage of Mr. Helm's father and mother was solemnized December 16, 1874, the latter Esther Blair Helm, born April 27, 1852, and died December 9, 1909, over seven years after the demise of her faithful and devoted husband, being a daughter of James and Nancy Blair. Both of the parents of Mr. Helm were Methodists, consistent and helpful in the good causes of the church. The father was a life long Democrat and a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity.

L. D. Helm received an excellent education, his preliminary training being acquired in the public schools. He early decided to follow in the parental footsteps in the matter of a life work. He engages in general agriculture and his efforts have been crowned with success. He laid the foundation of a congenial life compan[ion]ship, when on August 16, 1899, he was united in marriage to Josie Reynolds, daughter of Anna L. and Charles (Henry) Reynolds, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Vermont. The date of their wedding was August 16, 1899, and its scene Plymouth, Iowa. They have become the parents of the following seven children: Winnie E., born May 14, 1900; Flossie M., born September 24, 1901; Harold H., December 7, 1902; Olive E., born February 23, 1905; Wayne L., July 13, 1907; Melvin D., December 15, 1908; and Bruce, July 4, 1910.

Mr. Helm, like his father, has ever given his hand and heart to the men and measures of the Democratic party and his lodge affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of American. He is one of the well known farmers of the community and can ever be depended upon to give his support to all measures likely to result in the attainment of the greatest good to the greatest number.

NOTE: Lurton D. Helm died July 30, 1959. Josie M. (Reynolds) Helm died September 19, 1963.

Harold H. Helm died October 17, 1959; his wife, Alice A., was born September 9, 1908, and died February 9, 1996.

Wayne L. Helm died July 8, 1971.

All interments were made at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014